Sea Salt On view in the East Gallery February 6 – March 27, 2026 Opening Event February 6, 6 – 9pm Written, Directed, Shot, Scored by Nastassia Dillon. Starring Lanora Graves. Sea Salt is an experimental film that explores visual language by combining early techniques of storytelling without using digital technology. Shot on film with a super 8 camera, the image has a natural vignette, grain, and rich tones that are uniquely found only on film. Intertitles are used as narration, inspired by the silent film era of the late 1920’s. All editing is done in camera in sequential order. The film score is traditionally composed by the Berimbau, a single stringed African instrument attached to a gourd. Brought to the west via the transatlantic slave trade. All of these elements combined produce a distinct experience for the viewer to appreciate a slower intentional process of film making that is rarely seen today. Nastassia Dillon Nastassia Dillon was born in Brooklyn New York and is currently based in South Florida. Her parents are from Jamaica and she is heavily influenced by Caribbean culture as well as the urban landscape of the city where she was born. At the early age of 4 years old, Nastassia picked up a camera and has continued towards a life of art and adventure. After studying at Florida Atlantic University, she received her B.A. in multimedia, her studies focused on film, photography, and studio art. Nastassia’s films include documentary, narrative, and music videos. Select projects have been exhibited in international film festivals including the Super 8 film festival, Urban film festival, and Flamingo film festival. She has a rich photography portfolio including; documentary style, commercial portraits, landscape, and architecture. As a film maker, the direction of my current work explores spiritual connections to the land. I typically embrace the natural environment as a bridge to bring my audience back to an original home. My approach to story telling involves dramatic lighting, abstract visuals, performance, and original music. I make films of people that represent myself and my interests. My influences are derived from the French new wave era of the 1950’s. The films during that time were often personal and experimental. A filmmaker whom I hold in high regard is Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene, who mixed the French new wave style with his African heritage. I always try to represent my own ancestral roots in my films, whether I use direct visuals or sound to highlight my unique perspective. Similar to Ousmane Sembene, I prefer to use non professional actors in my work, they enhance the realism of the character. In the future I plan to continue experimenting with new styles and unconventional techniques, while transforming traditional structures for my personal narratives.
